Pakistani president renews offer to India to resolve Kashmir issue through talks

A Pakistani vendor waits for customers to sell national flags, caps and masks to celebrate the country's upcoming 69th Independence Day in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015. Millions of Pakistanis will hold rallies for Independence Day on Friday to commemorate its independence in 1947 from British colonial rule. (AP Photo/B.K. Bangash)
(The Associated Press)

People celebrate the country's upcoming 69th Independence Day in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015. Millions of Pakistanis will hold rallies for Independence Day on Friday to commemorate its independence in 1947 from British colonial rule.(AP Photo/B.K. Bangash)
(The Associated Press)

People buy flags to celebrate the country's upcoming 69th Independence Day in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015. Millions of Pakistanis will hold rallies for Independence Day on Friday to commemorate its independence in 1947 from British colonial rule.(AP Photo/B.K. Bangash)
(The Associated Press)

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan's president has renewed his offer to neighbor and archrival India to hold bilateral talks to resolve the issue of the disputed Kashmir region.

Mamnoon Hussain said in a televised speech on Friday marking his country's Independence Day that Pakistan believes in "peaceful co-existence" though it would not comprise if its defense and security were under threat.

Pakistan and India have a history of uneasy relations.

They fought two of their three wars over Kashmir since gaining independence from Britain in 1947. Kashmir — a divided region today — is claimed by both countries.

Pakistani security officials say Indian forces late on Thursday fired shots from their part of Kashmir at Pakistani troops.